One
question that faces the sincere person today is: "How can I, as
one individual in my little corner, help bring peace to the world?"
St. Therese of Lisieux, in her day, was able to resolve this issue
for herself, probably something we all should do. In the face of political
issues, Therese prayed, and fiercely believed, that what she prayed for
would happen. And, it did happen, not only for her day but also for the
many years to come. I once lived with a Carmelite Sister who did the same.
This Sister had a high voice. On the pitch of "A," she often
prayed for " the return" of a well-known figure. It, too, happened.
There was a deathbed conversion. This Sister took for granted that God
would bring her prayer about, and was not even surprised when she learned
that her prayer was answered.

Probably the first thing to do is to discern exactly how to pray. For
quite some time, I have been praying that God would raise up a prophetic
voice, whose voice would be listened to and who would have influence.
Little did I think that this voice would be the voice of the people demonstrating
for peace. Sometimes, I wonder if the sadness that people feel over the
lack of peace is the same sadness that God experiences, and that this
sadness comes form the Heart of God. I believe, too, that the
best prayer for peace comes from a peaceful heart.

Carrmelite
St. Edith Stein, (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), had a unique and rather
mystical way of viewing the world. She believed that if a Christian is
united with Christ, then, wherever God is, that person also is. There
is a seven-syllable mantra, a type of prayer, which fits such a belief:
"Wherever you are, I am." As mentioned before, this could be
God speaking to the soul, or the soul praying it before God.

....

If I believe that I can be where God is, then, this means
that I can be with the suffering and innocent people of Iraq, who wait
in fear of war. I can be with our American troops, who have been called
up, some of whom do not agree with going to war and others who do not
even fully understand all that is involved. I can be with those women
and men I personally know, whom we pray for by name every day. I can be
with the leaders of America and the world who are in the position of making
very serious decisions. In being with them, I can pray that they will
listen to the Spirit of God and the voice of the people. Furthermore if
what Edith Stein said is true, then the Communion of Saints is also with
us to help us.

"Wherever you are, I am." I plan to pray
this mantra often during the day. The thought of it brings peace to my
own soul. Some day, the world will have a common heart!